Top sizer for garment hanger

ABSTRACT

A top sizer clip according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a body having a pair of side walls joined at their ends and an open bottom for receiving a hook member of a garment hanger. Each side wall includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and an opening formed therethrough. Wherein along the inner surface a first inner portion is formed above the opening and extends toward a top of the body; a second inner portion is formed below the opening and extends to a bottom edge of the body; a first outer portion is formed along the outer surface above the opening and extends to the top and a second outer portion is formed along the outer surface below the opening and extends to the bottom edge. The second inner portion is recessed relative to the second inner portion and the first outer portion is recessed relative to the second outer portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/614,049, filed Mar. 22, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a garment hanger of the type which includes a locking information clip and more particularly, to a top sizer clip for use with the garment hanger.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of different types of garment hangers that are used to hold a number of different articles of clothing or other types of articles, such as linens or other household fabrics. Typically, garment hangers are either formed of a plastic material or a metal material or a combination thereof. Not only do garment hangers come in a variety of different sizes but they also come in a number of different styles that have different types of constructions to accommodate different articles that are carried by the hangers.

For example, one type of garment hanger construction is designed to secure knitwear, blouses, slips, strapped garments, including dresses and lingerie. Another type of garment hanger construction is designed to also secure blouses, dresses and other light garments, while another type of garment hanger is designed to secure heavier knitwear, blouses, pants and light weight pant suits. Yet another type of garment hanger is designed to secure coats, jackets and outerwear. The foregoing types of garment hangers can be generally classified as being top garment hangers, while another class of garment hangers is pant hangers, which are those hangers that are designed to secure pants, skirts, and other outfits together. Often times, pant hangers incorporate some type of clamp mechanism to securely grasp and hold the articles of clothing. One will appreciate that there are even more types of garment hangers (e.g., bra/panty hanger) that are intended for particular applications.

One accessory that is often used with a hanger is a size indicator that typically is a small plastic part that attaches to the body of the hanger and has indicia formed thereon that indicates the size or some other identifying mark of the article of clothing that is being held on the hanger. The size indicator can either take the form of a side sizer, where the clip (sizer) attached to the side of a hook member or a top sizer, where the clip attaches more to the top of the hook member.

Conventional top sizer clips are most times custom designed for a specific type or style of hanger (i.e., a matching hanger) and therefore, when they are used with other hangers, the clips tend not to be secured to the hanger but instead either are too small so that they cannot be received on the base structure or they are too large and therefore, they wobble on the base structure and can easily become disengaged and fall off the hanger. By not having a secure attachment between the clip and the hanger, the size indicators do not perform their full intended function and instead can easily become misplaced and replacement thereof can result in the wrong size indicator being placed on the hanger which in turn can result in the wrong article of clothing being selected by a consumer or if no size indicator is present, the consumer may rummage through the clothing and leave an untidy display in order to find the proper size.

SUMMARY

A top sizer clip according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a body having a pair of side walls joined at their ends and an open bottom for receiving a hook member of a garment hanger. Each side wall includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and an opening formed therethrough. Wherein along the inner surface a first inner portion is formed above the opening and extends toward a top of the body; a second inner portion is formed below the opening and extends to a bottom edge of the body; a first outer portion is formed along the outer surface above the opening and extends to the top and a second outer portion is formed along the outer surface below the opening and extends to the bottom edge. The second inner portion is recessed relative to the second inner portion and the first outer portion is recessed relative to the second outer portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that these and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be more fully comprehended, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top sizer clip according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the top sizer clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the top sizer clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the top sizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the top sizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a first end view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a second view thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a top sizer clip 100 according to the present embodiment. Similar to other top sizer clips, the top sizer clip 100 of the present invention is intended to be locked into place on a hook member of a garment hanger (not shown) in a conventional manner For example and as described below, the top sizer clip 100 can include a first locking means that mates with a second locking means of the garment hanger resulting in the top sizer clip 100 being locked in placed on the hook member of the garment hanger.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate the top sizer clip 100 of the present invention. The top sizer clip 100 is formed of a clip body 110 that is essentially hollow and is defined by a first side wall 112, an opposing second side wall 114, a first end wall section 116, an opposing second end wall section 118, a bottom edge 119 and a top wall 120. The bottom of the top sizer clip 100 is open so as to permit the top sizer clip 100 to be inserted over the hook member of the hanger and then securely attached to the hanger as described below. It will be appreciated that the first side wall 112 can represent the front of the clip 100 and the second side wall 114 can represent the rear of the clip 100. The bottom edge 119 is typically a planar edge in that the bottom edge 119 of the clip body 110 lies within the same plane. The top wall 120 can be a planar wall in which case it is parallel to the plane of the bottom edge 119 or the top wall 120 can have a non-planar structure (rounded wall).

While the top sizer clip 100 can be formed of any number of different materials, the clip 100 is typically made from a plastic material using conventional techniques, such as molding techniques, e.g., injection molding. The clip 100 can be either opaque in nature or semi-transparent or transparent and can be formed to have any number of different colors.

The end wall sections 116, 118 extend between the two side walls 112, 114 and are joined at their top edges 117 to the top wall 120. The end walls 116, 118 can have any number of different shapes. For example, the end wall sections 116, 118 can have a planar outer surface/face or can have a rounded shape (as shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the end wall sections 116, 118 generally have a semi-circular shape.

In addition, the end wall sections 116, 118 can have different appearances (shapes) from the bottom to top edges thereof. In one embodiment, the end wall sections 116, 118 can be in the form of a planar, vertical wall that is perpendicular to both the bottom edge 119 and the top wall 120. In other embodiment, as shown, the end wall sections 116, 118 can have a non-planar structure in that each of the end wall sections 116, 118 is not formed along a single vertical axis. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the end wall sections 116, 118 includes a bottom section 130 and a top section 140. The top section 140 can be more in the form of a planar vertical wall section that is perpendicular to the top wall 120. The bottom section 130 is angled relative to the top section 140. The bottom section 130 thus represents a flared end wall section. As shown, the bottom section 130 is outwardly flared in the direction of the bottom edge 119 in that the bottom section 130 is angled outwardly relative to the top section 140.

The degree of the bevel of the bottom section 130 can vary depending upon the application. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom section 130 has a degree of bevel of less than 45 degrees. As a result of the beveled nature of the end wall section 116, 118, the length of the clip body 110 is greatest at the bottom edge 119 compared to the top wall 120.

The end wall sections 116, 118 are preferably symmetric and mirror images of one another. The transition between the top wall 120 and the end wall sections 116, 118 can be defined as having more of a right angle appearance or can be defined by a smoother transition as in the case of rounded corners. In the illustrated embodiment, the clip body 110 has a pair of rounded upper corners defined between the top wall 120 and the end walls section 116, 118.

In accordance with the present invention, the inner and outer faces (surfaces) of the first and second side walls 112, 114 are contoured and are not smooth surfaces.

More specifically, the clip body 110 includes an inner surface or face 200 that is defined by the inner surface of the first side wall 112 and the inner surface of the second side wall 114. Each of the first and second side walls 112, 114 has an opening or hole 145 formed therein. The opening 145 passes completely through the side wall 112, 114 and can be contoured to have any number of different shapes.

The inner surface 200 of each of the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114 includes a recessed section 210 formed therein. The recessed section 210 is in the form of a channel or notch that is formed in the inner surface 200 and is open along the bottom edge 119 of the clip body 110. The recessed channel 210 has a linear shape and extends a distance upwardly from the bottom edge 119. The recessed channel 210 has a closed top end that is spaced a distance from the bottom edge 119. As illustrated, the recessed channel 210 terminates at the opening 145 (which thus defines the topmost aspect of the recessed channel 210).

The sections of the inner surface 200 surrounding and adjacent to recessed channel 210 are elevated relative to the recessed channel 210 and can generally lie in the same plane.

The recessed channel 210 is centrally located along the inner surface 200 in that it can be formed generally in the middle of the inner surface 200. In addition, the recessed channels 210 are preferably formed in the same location of the first side wall 112 and second side wall 114 as shown in FIG. 3 and therefore, they are directly across (opposite) from one another. FIG. 3 shows the open bottoms of the two recessed channels 210 along the bottom edge 119 of the clip body 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 145 has a rectangular shape that is centrally located in the clip body 110. The opening 145 as shown also includes a pair of extensions or wings 147 that extend outwardly from the opening 145. Each extension 147 is generally square shaped and located opposite one another. As shown, one extension 147 extends upwardly from the opening 145 towards the top wall 120 (i.e., in the 12 o'clock position) and the other extension 147 extends downwardly from the opening 145 towards the bottom edge 119 (i.e., in the 6 o'clock position). The two extensions 147 are thus axially aligned with one another.

The opening 145 can thus be described as containing a top edge 151 that faces the top wall 120 and from which the top extension 147 extends outwardly therefrom and a bottom edge 153 from which the bottom extension 147 extends outwardly therefrom. The opening 145 is spaced from the bottom edge 119 in that the opening 145 is a completely bounded opening. The bottom edge 119 is thus below the opening 145.

The opening 145 can be intended to serve as a means for locking the clip 100 to the hook member of the garment hanger. For example, a locking tab can be received within the opening 145 for interlockingly connecting the clip 100 to the garment hanger. Alternatively, the opening 145 is a feature that is needed for manufacturing the top sizer using molding techniques and in particular, assists in removal (ejection) from a mold.

Along the inner surface 200, a first locking means 250 can be provided for securely attaching (locking) the clip body 110 to the hook member of the garment hanger. The first locking means 250 can be in the form of locking tabs 250 formed along the inner surface 200. The locking tabs 250 can be in the form of rectangular shaped protrusions that extend inwardly into the interior. As shown in FIG. 3, there are four protrusions 250 arranged in two pairs that are located opposite one another. Thus, two protrusions 250 are located along one face of the inner surface 200 and the other two protrusions 250 are located along the opposite face of the inner surface 200.

One recessed section 210 is located between two protrusions 250 in the illustrated embodiment.

The clip body 110 also includes an outer surface or face 300. The outer surface 300 is defined by the outer surface of the first side wall 112 and the outer surface of the second side wall 114. The outer surface 300 of each of the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114 can be formed of a number of different regions having different structure/appearance. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface 300 can include a first region or section 310 that is located at one end of the body; a second region or section 320; and a third region or section 330. In one embodiment, the first region 310 is a raised (relative to the other sections) section that includes indicia 312, such as size information, etc. The third section 330 is recessed relative to the first section 310 and can include one or more ribs 332 which can add structural integrity. The second section 320 is a recessed section which is recessed relative to both the third section 330 and the first section 310 and lies therebetween. In other words, the second section 320 represents the most recessed area along the outer surface 300 and therefore is a low point of the outer surface 300.

It will also be seen that the second section 320 includes the opening 145 and therefore, the second section 320 is specifically a region that is located above the opening 145 and extends from the opening 145 to the top of the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the second section 320 has a rectangular shape and is defined between a pair of structural ribs 332 that define the interface between the first section 310 and the second section 320 and the second section 320 and the third section 330. The area 321 that is below the opening 145 can be an area that is not recessed to the same degree that the second section 320 is recessed above the opening 145. As a result, this portion 321 below the opening 145 lies in a different plane relative to the second section 320. Accordingly, if a thin object (e.g., elongated thin strip) is passed through the open bottom of the body 110 and is then fed into the bottom of the opening, the thin object can pass along the recessed second section 320 and beyond the top of the body without having to undergo or only slightly undergoing a bending action.

It will be appreciated that the third section 330 can have the same or similar construction as the section 310 in that the section 330 does not have to be recessed section but instead can be a section that has an outer surface that is at least substantially within the plane of the outer surface of the section 310.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of clip and illustrates the recessed section (notch) 210 in relationship to the opening 145 and more particularly, the registration between the notch 210 and opening 145 are shown. This registration allows the above mentioned object to pass up through the notch 210 into the opening 145.

Thus, when the top sizer body is in a vertical (upright) position, the thin object also assumes a substantially vertical position. One will appreciate that if the second section 320 were not recessed, the thin object could not maintain as vertical an orientation and still pass through the opening 145 and along the second section 320. Instead, the thin object would have to be significantly bent in order to be inserted into the opening 145 and then pass along the exterior of the second section 320 since the outer surface of the conventional top sizer lies in one plane.

The portion 321 is thus a plate surface that is higher than the plate surface of the second section 320. In other words and with reference to FIG. 1, the second section 320 is located more inward than the portion 321 and thus lies in a different plane and this allows the thin object to more easily pass upwardly through the opening 145 as described herein without having to undergo a substantial bending action. A bottom lip or edge 323 can be formed and extend along the bottom of the body. This edge 323 can be elevated relative to the portion 321.

The opening 145 can thus be thought of as not be formed in a planer wall that lies in one plane but instead, the opening 145 can be thought of as being formed in two different walls (320, 321) that lie in different planes as discussed herein.

The differences between the portion 321 and the second section 320 in terms of lying in different planes serves the easy ejection or removal of the sizer 100 from a mold surface immediately after each injection cycle. This shortens the time required for production of the sizer 100 and therefore adds to increased savings and increased time efficiency. Moreover, the design of the top sizer 100 also simplifies the ejection method and thus alignment of mold impression in the mold plate. This results in increased production numbers being achieved, while decreasing costs. In fact, the production time is 2 to 3 times faster than conventional times as a result of the design and construction of the top sizer 100 of the present invention. By contouring the outer surface 300 to lie in different planes (one recessed) at locations surrounding the opening 145, production costs are greatly reduced.

It will also be appreciated that the recessed section 220 can be formed in a top sizer that has a different construction in that the top sizer body can have a boxier look in that the ends thereof can be flat (non-beveled) and likewise the top can be a flat edge.

It will be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention, the notch 210 can be eliminated (thus leaving a smooth inner surface), while the exterior surface includes recessed section 320. However, in the illustrated embodiment as described herein, both the notch 210 and recessed section 320 are present since the notch 210 defines an recessed channel and similarly, the recessed section 320 defines a recessed channel and locations of the same can be thought of as defining a vertical channel that allows passage of a thin object from the open bottom of the top sizer to the top by initially running along the inner surface (notch 210) and then passing through opening 145 and within the recessed section 320. As mentioned above, the presence of the notch 210 and recessed section 320 promote vertical passage of the thin object.

While each side wall includes the opening 145, it will be understood that only one of the side walls can include opening 145.

As will be appreciated by the top plan view of FIG. 5 and the side views of FIGS. 2 and 4, the side walls of the top sizer clip can have the same or similar construction but are not a mirror image as view along a longitudinal axis in that the section 310 on one side is backed by a section 330 on the other side as shown in FIG. 5.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific and defined nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing description of the specific embodiment is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the features, embodiments, and methods of making the embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the described methods, embodiments, features or combinations of features but include all the variation, methods, modifications, and combinations of features within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is limited only by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A top sizer clip comprising: a body having a pair of side walls joined at their ends and an open bottom for receiving a hook member of a garment hanger, wherein each side wall includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and an opening formed therethrough, wherein along the inner surface a first inner portion is formed above the opening and extending toward a top of the body; a second inner portion is formed below the opening and extending to a bottom edge of the body; a first outer portion is formed along the outer surface above the opening and a second outer portion is formed along the outer surface below the opening and extending to the bottom edge, wherein the second inner portion is recessed relative to the first inner portion and the first outer portion is recessed relative to the second outer portion.
 2. The top sizer of claim 1, wherein the first outer portion lies substantially in a first vertical plane and the second outer portion lies substantially in a second vertical plane that is parallel to and spaced from the first vertical plane so as to define an open slot formed between the first and second outer portions.
 3. The top sizer of claim 1, wherein the opening is formed of a central section that includes a top edge and a bottom edge, the opening including a first extension formed along and extending upwardly from the top edge and a second extension formed along and extending downwardly from the bottom edge.
 4. The top sizer of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the first outer portion defines a top edge of the opening and a top edge of the second outer portion defines a bottom edge of the opening.
 5. The top sizer of claim 1, wherein the first outer portion is recessed relative to the second outer portion.
 6. The top sizer of claim 1, wherein the second inner portion is in the form of a notch that is recessed relative to laterally adjacent sections of the inner surface.
 7. The top sizer of claim 6, wherein the notch is open along a bottom edge of the body.
 8. The top sizer of claim 1, wherein the first and second outer portions and the first and second inner portions are centrally located within the body.
 9. A top sizer clip comprising: a body having a pair of side walls joined at their ends and an open bottom for receiving a hook member of a garment hanger, wherein each side wall includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and an opening formed therethrough, wherein each side wall has an opening formed therein between top and bottom edges of the body, the opening being defined by a first side wall section that is located above and defines a top edge of the opening and a second side wall section that is located below and defines a bottom edge of the opening, the first side wall section being disposed within a different plane relative to the second side wall section.
 10. The top sizer clip of claim 9, wherein the first side wall section extends to the top edge of the body and the second side wall section extends to the bottom edge of the body.
 11. The top sizer clip of claim 9, wherein sections of the body laterally adjacent the first side wall section are raised relative to the first side wall section.
 12. The top sizer clip of claim 9, wherein an inner surface of the second side wall is in the form of a notch formed along the inner surface of the body in that adjacent lateral sections of the inner surface are raised relative to the notch defined by the second side wall section. 